The ancient city of Aspendos is located northeast of Side, away from the coast, in what is now Antalya Province. It is one of the best-preserved ancient archaeological sites in southern Turkey. On its territory, the ruins of Roman-era urban structures have survived, and the main part of the complex is considered to be the famous theater.

The history of Aspendos goes back to deep antiquity, although the exact date of the city's foundation remains a matter of debate. In antiquity, it was an important center of Pamphylia and developed thanks to its convenient location near the Eurymedon River, which was connected to trade routes. Later, the city came under the influence of Hellenistic states and then became part of the Roman Empire.

Today, visitors come here primarily for the 2nd-century AD Roman theater, which has been preserved significantly better than many similar structures in the Mediterranean. In addition to the theater, on the territory of the ancient city you can see the remains of a stadium, aqueduct, agora, basilica, and other public buildings. These ruins help to imagine how a large ancient city was organized.

Aspendos is of interest to those who want to see not just a single monument, but an entire archaeological complex. A trip here usually combines well with a holiday in Side and visits to other ancient sites in the region, so the place is often chosen for a short independent excursion or a half-day outing.